Massage Therapist Salary in Boulder, CO: $76,204 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Boulder, CO earns a median $76,204/year (≈ $36.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Boulder's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.2), that paycheck buys what $72,436 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.4% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $76,204 in 2026, massage therapist pay in Boulder, CO, is notably higher than the national median of $61,975, demonstrating a 22.96% premium for local practitioners. Salary ranges for this profession are wide, spanning from $58,412 at the 10th percentile to $132,548 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Both self-employed therapists and those working in established practices can thrive financially; however, the latter often face challenges in overhead costs and marketing efforts. As the local job market remains robust, aspiring massage therapists will find ample opportunities to carve their niche in this competitive environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,412 | $28.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,283 | $31.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,204 | $36.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,889 | $52.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,548 | $63.72 |
Median Salary Position
22.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boulder
In Boulder, CO, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,136 (2026 est.). At $76,204, the local median is 22.96% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boulder: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Boulder Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Boulder median: $76,204/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boulder Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $65,467 | +16.40% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +22.96% more |
Massage Therapists in Boulder, CO earn a median of $76,204 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.96% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 16.40% above the Colorado state average of $65,467.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boulder has a cost of living 5.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.202 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,204 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,436 — a 4.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,840
2025 BLS Actual
$71,870
2026 Current Est.
$76,204
2019–2027 Growth
+65.4%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,204 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,799 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boulder metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 47.2% from $48,840 (2019) to $71,870 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,799 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,959 (65.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.03% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $58,412 – $65,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,283 – $76,204 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,204 – $109,889 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,889 – $132,548 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Boulder
The employment landscape features around 420 massage therapists, highlighting a vibrant local market for those entering the field. However, the cost of living index in Boulder sits at 105.202, indicating a slightly elevated living expense compared to the national average. This factor impacts overall take-home pay and purchasing power for massage therapists. While franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone provide stable employment, their pay structures often fall short of the income available to self-employed practitioners. The significant pay gap can be attributed to tips and client volume; many massage therapists earn an additional 15-25% from tips, depending on the setting. Therapists specializing in niches such as oncology or sports massage may also command higher rates. For maximizing earnings, self-employed massage therapists in Boulder should focus on building a loyal client base through effective marketing while ensuring they maintain a competitive edge in their therapeutic offerings.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, LMT
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in massage therapy. They specialize in sports massage. They work in a wellness center.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $71,870 for massage therapistsin the Boulder metropolitan area. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.03%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for massage therapists (SOC 31-9011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov